The regular use of fermented milk products has a positive effect on health. The bacteria contained in yogurt normalize the activity of the digestive tract and improve bowel function. If you cook it at home, the product will be much healthier and tastier than the store. Which yogurt maker is better, and what should guide you in choosing it? The article will discuss the principles of its work and basic functions.
What is a yogurt maker
The device is a container with thermoregulation, round or rectangular with a lid. Inside the yogurt maker there are plastic or glass cups, or jars. Usually their number is from 5 to 12 pcs. Known devices with one large capacity.
What is the working principle of a yogurt maker? Let's figure it out! Works yogurt maker from electricity. In it you can cook not only yogurt, but kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream and even cottage cheese.
The device is easy to use and it will not be difficult for any person to understand the rules of use. Many useful features will make cooking even more enjoyable. The principle of a yogurt maker is to obtain a delicious product. The essence of the device is that it maintains a certain temperature, which is favorable for the reproduction and vital activity of lactic acid bacteria. As a result, yogurt is obtained from milk into which the sourdough has been previously added.
The most popular yogurt makers are in these categories of customers:
- young mothers who care about the health of their babies;
- people suffering from diseases of the digestive tract;
- Athletes who monitor their health;
- people seeking to lose weight.
People should not forget about the usefulness of dairy products prepared at home.
Main functions
How does a yogurt maker work? The device is intended for the preparation of dairy products, and in most it has the following functions:
- Auto power off. The timer turns off the appliance after cooking time has elapsed. Auto power off is a useful feature, but yogurt makers with such a sensor are much more expensive. Cooking yogurt requires a constant presence, so auto-shutdown is not a vital feature.
- Display. The presence of an indicator in the model allows you to monitor the process of yogurt preparation. Some appliances have a light indicator, while others display the time remaining until the end of cooking. In the most modern models, the display shows the cooking program for a particular product.
- Delayed start. To get fresh yogurt, you can set the time when the family needs this product. It is necessary to pour the mixture, set the program, and in the specified period the yogurt maker will cook it.
- Sound alert. When the process of cooking yogurt ends, the device notifies you with a special signal. As a result, the hostess will not forget about the upcoming product.
- Markers Some models have such a useful function as marking the finished yogurt. This is very convenient and will help you not to forget about the cooking time of the product.
- Special compartment for the cord. Some appliances have a place to store the power cord. The wire will be securely hidden and will not interfere.
Here are the main features that modern yogurt makers are equipped with.
The main advantages of the device
The positive properties in the work of a yogurt maker include:
- Fresh sour-milk products constantly present on the table.
- The hostess will be completely confident in the quality of the yogurt and its shelf life.
- The transparent cover of the yogurt maker allows you to easily observe the process of preparing the product.
- In the device you can cook yogurt, sour cream, kefir, fermented baked milk and even cottage cheese.
- Many models have compact dimensions and can be selected to fit the overall style of the kitchen.
- No special knowledge and skills in the application and care of the device are required.
With frequent use of yogurt makers, it is best to choose models with many functions, and with rare cooking, it is enough to purchase a device with a basic set of options.
Cons Yogurt Makers
The negative properties of the device include:
- The yogurt maker takes up a lot of space, so if the kitchen has a small area, then it makes no sense to buy it. Especially if a woman has a crock-pot with the function of preparing fermented milk products.
- You must carefully monitor the cleanliness of the container in which the yogurt is prepared. Otherwise, instead of useful products, you can get food poisoning.
- In some situations, it becomes difficult to purchase dry sourdough or high-quality milk for the preparation of delicious sour-milk products.
Despite some of the disadvantages of a yogurt maker, no one will deny that a home-made product is much tastier and healthier than a store. A correctly selected model of the device will help save a woman’s time and energy.
What yogurt maker to choose for home
When choosing a device, you should pay attention to its technical characteristics, cost and decide on personal preferences. This includes:
- Capacity for cooking product. After all, several cups (120-180 ml) are more convenient for preparation than one large container. It will not work to get yogurts with a diverse taste. And for storage the product will have to be transfused somewhere. Typically, cups are made of plastic or glass.
- The choice of the form of the appliance does not affect the principle of operation of the yogurt maker, therefore it can be chosen according to personal preference or suitable for the interior of the kitchen.
- Management can be with a mechanical or automatic timer, toggle switch. The fewer bells and whistles in the control of the device, the cheaper it is. When choosing a yogurt maker, they are guided by their preferences and money.
The most budget option does not have much difficulty in working, for this you need to insert the plug into the outlet, and after the process is completed, pull it out.
The listed functions are secondary, the main points are the power and the necessary set of functions.
How does a yogurt maker work? A set of options must be selected so that the preparation of the product is fun, does not cause a lot of negativity. The following functions will be useful:
- The display will help you select a cooking program and will show the cooking time.
- A sound signal will inform about the end of the process.
- Markers have special amenities for families who have young children. This will protect against the use of expired yoghurts.
The device is chosen taking into account what the hostess wants to see in her yogurt maker.
Preparation for operation
How to use a yogurt maker? Before starting work, the device is placed on a flat surface. Until the end of the yogurt preparation process, it is not recommended to move the unit, so as not to disturb the uniformity of heating.
Before starting to prepare the product, the glasses are washed and dried. Do not leave leftovers on cooked foods and detergents on them.
Glasses are filled with milk and sourdough, then set the necessary mode.
The principle of operation of the yogurt maker
The operation of such a device as a yogurt maker is simple and without any special difficulties, therefore it is not difficult to prepare fermented milk products in it.
According to the instructions for use, in yogurt maker kefir, fermented baked milk or other product is obtained by heating the device and maintaining the optimum temperature (+40 degrees).
A container with milk and special starter cultures is placed inside the unit, closed with a lid and turned on the power supply. Due to the heat generated, sour milk bacteria multiply, which turn ordinary milk into yogurt. The process takes from 6-8 to 12 hours.
Do not independently increase the cooking time of the product. In this case, beneficial bacteria are destroyed, and yogurt does not turn out to be a homogeneous consistency.
Essential Ingredients for Yogurt
The basis of fermented milk products is ready-made pharmacy starter cultures, purchased yogurt without additives, or part of the product from a previous batch.
It is best to choose homemade milk, before using it must be boiled. This is done to get rid of bacteria. If such milk cannot be purchased, then purchased with high fat content will do.
When cooking yogurt at home, you can add jam, jams and chocolate. This makes them not only tasty, but also healthy.
Model Overview
To choose the right device, you should focus not on the brand, but on the presence of a quality certificate. You can choose yogurt makers from TEFAL, MAXWELL, MOULINEX or REDMOND. These are the most popular manufacturers of similar equipment.
In which yogurt maker is the most delicious yogurt? There are no fundamental differences in the technical characteristics of the devices. If they are, then insignificant. The main difference in price and manufacturer. The taste of the product does not depend on this.
The number of cups in a yogurt maker should be selected taking into account family members. The more lovers of homemade yogurt, the more they should be in technology.
The most popular are the TEFAL yogurt makers. They have operation sensors, have a compartment for wires, an indicator of the time of preparation of the product. Very popular model 8872 with 6 jars and a container for cottage cheese.
MOULINEX products also have many positive properties. The model Yogurteo yg2301 has a long cord, a nice interface, and the presence of markings makes it convenient to use. The principle of operation of this brand of yogurt makers is similar to typical models.
MAXWELL models have the most affordable price. The MW-1430 includes 5 cups. The model involves not its frequent use for the preparation of dairy products.
If the choice is REDMOND, then this option is especially optimal for large families who constantly like to use yoghurts. It is worth paying attention to the RYM-M 5401 model.
Reviews
Opinions about yogurt makers are different. One group of customers was satisfied with the device. As a result of her work, yogurt was delicious. The brand MOULINEX is loved by people for its simplicity and reliability. As a result, they prepare the product in unlimited quantities. By its properties, homemade yogurt is much better than store yogurt. Mothers with young children are especially pleased with the device. This solves the problem of feeding the baby and positively affects the work of his intestines.
The second group of buyers speaks negatively about TEFAL yogurt makers. Due to the fact that they take up a lot of space in the kitchen. This consumer group is committed to using a microwave, bread machine, or ice cream maker with the properties of a yogurt maker. Although they were satisfied with the quality of the device and yogurt.
Conclusion
Yogurt maker is a device that is used to prepare dairy products at home. When buying it, you need to pay attention to the main functions and features. The quality of the home-made yogurt brand and model are mainly not affected.